Start Spreading the News

This morning in New York City, Meb Keflezighi became the first American to win the New York City marathon since 1982 when he took the men’s title in two hours 9 minutes and 15 seconds. As I watched him cross the finish line and reunite with his family, pumping his chest as he called attention to his USA jersey, I felt a lump grow in my throat and a tear come to my eye.

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to run on the very streets that Meb ran on for this historic event. It had been thirteen years since I had been to Manhattan, and it was everything and more than I remembered. As I started on my run up 1st avenue to 72nd and on into Central Park, across Bow Bridge, the route recommended by a fellow San Antonio running buddy, listening as always to my favorite tunes I felt empowered, inspired and alive. I could not help but recall the scene from “What Women Want” with Mel Gibson where he presents his creative idea for a Nike Women’s Running commercial and the depiction of this cathartic experience for women.

I must admit, that when I run, I feel just like the female runner in the commercial: I am no longer a mother, or a wife, a daughter, sister, employee or manager, I am just a runner, pure and simple. It was an empowering run, one I was able to replicate one more time during my stay in NYC, and one that I will remember as I set out in two weeks to run the San Antonio Rock n Roll half marathon.